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Abstract Water contaminated with arsenic presents serious health risks, necessitating effective and sustainable removal methods. This article proposes a method for removing arsenic from water by impregnating biochar with iron oxide (Fe2O3) from brown seaweed (Sargassum polycystum). After the seaweed biomass was pyrolyzed at 400 °C, iron oxide was added to the biochar to increase its adsorptive sites and surface functional groups, which allowed the binding of arsenic ions. Batch studies were conducted to maximize the effects of variables, including pH, contact time, arsenic concentration, and adsorbent dosage, on arsenic adsorption. The maximum arsenic adsorption efficiency of 96.7% was achieved under optimal conditions: pH 6, the adsorbent dosage of 100 mg, the initial arsenic concentration of 0.25 mg/L, and a contact time of 90 min. Langmuir and Freundlich’s isotherms favored the adsorption process, while the kinetics adhered to a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the controlling step. Column studies revealed complete saturation after 200 min, and the adsorption behavior fits both the Adams–Bohart and Thomas models, demonstrating the potential for large-scale application. The primary mechanism underlying the interaction between iron-modified biochar and arsenic ions is surface complexation, enhanced by increased surface area and porosity. This study highlights the significant contribution of iron-modified biochar derived from macroalgae as an effective and sustainable solution for arsenic removal from water.

In this study, tempeh was developed using a probiotic culture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus adjunct culture. Purposely, soybean seeds were soaked overnight at room temperature and then boiled at 100°C for 10 to 15 min. The hot beans were then spread out in a thin layer and allowed to cool to room temperature. The Lactobacillus rhamnosus culture was added to the soybeans, which were then tightly packed in perforated plastic bags and incubated at 30°C for 24 h to produce fresh tempeh. The tempeh was then analyzed for its physical, chemical, microbial, and sensory characteristics, and the data obtained was statistically analyzed. The results of the physical and chemical analysis showed that the probiotic tempeh had a slight increase in pH, ash, and protein content, while there was a significant decrease in acidity, moisture, and fat content during storage. The microbial analysis revealed that both the total plate count and probiotic count increased over time, with treatment T4, which contained a high amount of culture, exhibiting the maximum plate count and probiotic count. The sensory evaluation showed that both the treatment and storage duration significantly impacted the aroma, color, taste, and overall acceptability of the tempeh, with all sensory attributes decreasing over time. The sensory panelists rated treatment T4 the highest for overall acceptance. In conclusion, the study suggests that probiotic soybean tempeh could be a beneficial carrier for producing a product with good physicochemical properties, acceptability, high probiotic viability, and storage durability.

There is 78 % permafrost and seasonal frozen soil in the Yangtze River’s Source Region (SRYR), which is situated in the middle of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Three distinct scenarios were developed in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model the effects of land cover change (LCC) on various water balance components. Discharge and percolation of groundwater have decreased by mid-December. This demonstrates the seasonal contributions of subsurface water, which diminish when soil freezes. During winter, when surface water inputs are low, groundwater storage becomes even more critical to ensure water supply due to this periodic trend. An impermeable layer underneath the active layer thickness decreases GWQ and PERC in LCC + permafrost scenario. The water transport and storage phase reached a critical point in August when precipitation, permafrost thawing, and snowmelt caused LATQ to surge. To prevent waterlogging and save water for dry periods, it is necessary to control this peak flow phase. Hydrological processes, permafrost dynamics, and land cover changes in the SRYR are difficult, according to the data. These interactions enhance water circulation throughout the year, recharge of groundwater supplies, surface runoff, and lateral flow. For the region’s water resource management to be effective in sustaining ecohydrology, ensuring appropriate water storage, and alleviating freshwater scarcity, these dynamics must be considered.

Electrical discharge machining (EDM), especially the die-sinking variant, is a well-known slow machining process among non-conventional manufacturing processes. Different approaches are being researched to improve EDM performance characteristics especially increasing its material removal rate (MRR) and reducing the tool wear rate (TWR). This study aims to improve the EDM process performance through modifications in tool design and employing different tool materials. The performance of conventional EDM tool is compared with different tool designs while machining D2 steel. Moreover, tool designs are employed on different tool materials including copper (Cu), copper-tungsten alloy (CuW), and graphite (Gr) to investigate the combined effect of tool designs and materials on important performance indicators of EDM die-sinking. The machining time (MT), material removal rate (MRR), lateral tool wear (TWR_L), and diametric tool wear (TWR_D) are selected as the response measures. The modified tool designs reduce the machining time by 45%. Likewise, Cu and CuW remarkably improve the material removal rate by 80%. Similarly, the lateral and diametric tool wear of modified designs are less than the wear corresponding to conventional design. Microscopic analysis revealed two wear zones which are named as aggressive sparking zone and mild sparking zone. All materials (Cu, CuW, and Gr) with the modified tool designs show significantly less sparking zone compared with the conventional design. Moreover, the most appropriate combination of tool design and material is proposed to achieve better EDM performance.

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules is greatly impacted by dust accumulation and defects appearing in photovoltaic (PV) modules. Existing studies primarily focus on the effect of dust on general photovoltaic performance, neglecting the interactions with pre-existing defects such as snail trails. These defects are known to degrade the efficiency of PV modules. However, their interaction with environmental factors like dust accumulation has not been extensively analyzed. This research comprehensively analyzes the impact of dust accumulation on the performance of PV modules affected by snail trails. Using an experimental setup under outdoor conditions, the study incorporates thermal imaging, current-voltage characteristic curve tracing (IV curve tracing), electroluminescence (EL) imaging, and chemical analysis of the accumulated dust, to evaluate the electrical and thermal parameters affecting PV module performance. The study focuses on three types of modules, clean serves as a reference module (PV-R), normal unclean (PV-N), and snail trail-affected unclean PV module (PV-S). Compared to the PV-R module, the study meticulously quantifies the effect of accumulated dust on key performance indicators such as output power, V, and I. The PV-N module exhibits reductions of 17.7 % in current, 3.91 % in voltage, and 18.15 % in power output. The PV-S module experienced a decrease of 7.4 % in current, 7.55 % in voltage, and 14.87 % in power output under the dust deposition density of 6.984 g/m^2 having a mean particle size of 2.2279 μm. The dust deposition reduced the transmittance of glass, which indicates a potentially adverse impact on the PV module's efficiency. The findings highlighted in the current work provide a significant understanding of the detrimental impacts of dust accumulation on defected photo voltaic modules, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure optimal performance.

Introduction The burden of multimorbidity is recognised increasingly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), creating a strong emphasis on the need for effective evidence-based interventions. Core outcome sets (COS) appropriate for the study of multimorbidity in LMICs do not presently exist. These are required to standardise reporting and contribute to a consistent and cohesive evidence-base to inform policy and practice. We describe the development of two COS for intervention trials aimed at preventing and treating multimorbidity in adults in LMICs.Methods To generate a comprehensive list of relevant prevention and treatment outcomes, we conducted a systematic review and qualitative interviews with people with multimorbidity and their caregivers living in LMICs. We then used a modified two-round Delphi process to identify outcomes most important to four stakeholder groups (people with multimorbidity/caregivers, multimorbidity researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers) with representation from 33 countries. Consensus meetings were used to reach agreement on the two final COS. Registration: https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1580.Results The systematic review and qualitative interviews identified 24 outcomes for prevention and 49 for treatment of multimorbidity. An additional 12 prevention and 6 treatment outcomes were added from Delphi round 1. Delphi round 2 surveys were completed by 95 of 132 round 1 participants (72.0%) for prevention and 95 of 133 (71.4%) participants for treatment outcomes. Consensus meetings agreed four outcomes for the prevention COS: (1) adverse events, (2) development of new comorbidity, (3) health risk behaviour and (4) quality of life; and four for the treatment COS: (1) adherence to treatment, (2) adverse events, (3) out-of-pocket expenditure and (4) quality of life.Conclusion Following established guidelines, we developed two COS for trials of interventions for multimorbidity prevention and treatment, specific to adults in LMIC contexts. We recommend their inclusion in future trials to meaningfully advance the field of multimorbidity research in LMICs.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020197293.

Driven by a rapid surge in cooling demand in buildings, the energy consumption dedicated to cooling has experienced remarkable growth. To address this challenge, the adoption of latent heat thermal energy storage utilizing phase change materials (PCM) has gained significant momentum in recent years. This paper presents the design and evaluation of an integrated latent heat thermal energy storage (ILHTES) system tailored for residential buildings. This system integrates a PCM-to-air heat exchanger (PAHX) with an air conditioning unit. Modelica language is utilized to develop a numerical model for the ILHTES system. The heat transfer model of the PAHX is developed and validated using existing literature data. To simulate the dynamic behavior and energy consumption of the residential building, the open-source library AixLib is adopted. The developed ILHTES system model is used for the optimization of key design variables, including the PCM slab thickness and air flow rate, based on the results of long-term simulations covering the entire cooling season. Evaluation of the energy saving potential of the optimized ILHTES systems is carried out in comparison to conventional air conditioning systems, considering various climatic conditions in five European cities. The results highlight the profound impact of PCM types on the Energy Saving Ratio (ESR) throughout the entire cooling season. Among the four commercially available PCMs examined—RT27, RT25, RT20, and RT18—RT25 consistently outperforms the others. Across all five cities investigated, using RT25 leads to a minimum ESR of 16% in Catania and a maximum ESR of 44.7% in Stockholm for the entire cooling season.

Distinctive attributes of hybrid aluminum matrix composites enhance their industrial applications; however, reinforcement particulates complicate their machining, specifically when intricate profiles with high precision are involved due to their intended applications. This study investigates the dimensional accuracy of squeeze casted Al2024/Al2O3/W hybrid composite during wire electric discharge machining. A cone-shaped convoluted profile has been opted for machining to address the industrial needs, therefore, dimensional deviation in length, vertex angle and curvature radius of specimens have been assessed. The influence of cryogenic treatment of wire electrodes has been analyzed to control dimensional deviation in machining. Besides this, the influence of four machining variables including pulse duration, wire feed rate, wire runoff speed and wire tension on the dimensions deviations has also been investigated. The findings indicate that the pulse duration and wire tension notably influence the length error and curvature radius error. Additionally, the pulse duration and wire feed rate have been found to significantly impact the vertex angle error. The non-treated wire creates more significant craters and macro voids on the machined surface due to uneven sparking. In contrast, due to its enhanced electrical properties, the cryogenic-treated wire exhibits a comparatively refined microstructure on the machined surface, displaying fewer micro-voids and shallow craters. Comparative analysis shows that cryogenically treated wire offers 65.5 %, 35.3 % and 33.4 % reduction in length error, vertex angle error and curvature radius error than non-treated wire. The findings of this study can be helpful for the manufacturing industry for precision machining of intricate geometries.

Objective: To present the data of children with anorectal malformations treated with a staged approach, including the complications of each stage. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal Study Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric Surgery Departments, Combined Military Hospital, Malir and Multan, Pakistan from Jan 2017 to Jun 2019 and Jul 2019 to Jul 2022, respectively. Methodology: Twenty-four children with anorectal malformations were included. All were treated with a staged approach. The complications encountered during each approach were documented. Results: A total of 24 patients were operated on. Fourteen (58.3%) were female, whereas 10 (41.7%) were male patients. The age range was 1-4 years, with a mean of 2.00 ± 0.97 years. Female patients had an ARM with a rectovestibular fistula. Two (20%) of the male patients had rectal atresia, a recto-urethral bulbar fistula, a recto-urethral prostatic fistula, a recto-bladder neck fistula, or a perineal fistula. Two (8.3%), three (12.5%), two (8.3%), and one (4.1%) patients who had stage 1 had stomal stenosis or retraction, wound dehiscence, wound infection, and stoma prolapse respectively. In the second stage, two patients (8.3% of all patients) had an infection, a wound dehiscence, a dehiscence of the perineal body, and anal stenosis. In the other patient, one (4.1%) had an anal mucosal prolapse and severe urethral injury. After stage 3, only one patient (4.1%) had a wound infection. Conclusion: Patients with ARM are generally treated with a multistaged approach, and each stage of treatment has its own complications.

Sappinia is a free-living amoeba isolated from soil, dead plant material, freshwater, ponds, water supplies, surface water and the faecal material of various organisms such as cows, bats, reptiles, King penguin, and even humans. Of note, Sappinia was reported to be the causative agent in a case of non-granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, in an immunocompetent male. Since only one case has been described, there is not much information regarding the pathogenesis of Sappinia. Nonetheless, the rise in temperatures accompanying global warming is predicted to increase numbers of infections caused by free-living amoebae, and this may include Sappinia. Worryingly, Sappinia has also been reported to harbour fungal and bacterial endosymbionts. Since little is known about the pathogenesis of Sappinia and its species, prospective studies should focus on deducing its pathology. Additionally, Sappinia should be inspected for harbouring any bacteria or fungi of medical relevance to humans. Herein, we review the taxonomy, biology, ecological distribution, etiology, and pathogenesis of Sappinia. Prospective studies should be focused on Sappinia as well as other free-living amoebae, comprising their pathogenesis, and in developing preventative methods as well as treatments. This is especially important, given the rise in water shortages globally and reliance of storing water in tanks, where such microorganisms may propagate.

This research explores critical aspects of the ongoing educational transition from traditional two-dimensional digital platforms toward immersive realities in the metaverse. In this work, a networked, collaborative, ubiquitous, and immersive platform, “EduX” is developed to host different educational sessions. Several metrics are tracked and compared with parallel sessions using traditional digital platforms used by educational institutions, particularly during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, such as Zoom, MS Teams, and Black Board Ultra as the Learning Management System. Four groups of students from different domains of knowledge (n = 396) participated in the study, whereby each group was split into two subgroups, taking their session via EduX and BBUltra, followed by post-assessments and discussions. Using a mixed methods approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed to examine the influence of the platform on engagement, performance, and overall student achievements. The discussed results demonstrate superior usability and user experience levels of the proposed platform, with higher levels of engagement, leading to significantly improved attainments. Other than demonstrating the efficacy and feasibility of the platform, this work establishes fundamental metrics to be considered by software and hardware solution providers, academic institutions, and the research community concerned with the convergence towards immersive technologies.

Background The method currently available to diagnose shigellosis is insensitive and has many limitations. Thus, this study was designed to identify specific antigenic protein(s) among the cell surface associated proteins (SAPs) of Shigella that would be valuable in the development of an alternative diagnostic assay for shigellosis, particularly one that could be run using a stool sample rather than serum. Methods The SAPs of clinical isolates of S. dysenteriae, S. boydii, Shigella flexneri, and S. sonnei were extracted from an overnight culture grown at 37 °C using acidified-glycine extraction methods. Protein profiles were observed by SDS-PAGE. To determine if antibodies specific to certain Shigella SAPs were present in both sera and stool suspensions, Western blot analysis was used to detect the presence of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Results Immunoblot analysis revealed that sera from patients infected with S. flexneri recognized 31 proteins. These SAP antigens are recognized by the host humoral response during Shigella infection. Specific antibodies against these antigens were also observed in intestinal secretions of shigellosis patients. Of these 31 S. flexneri proteins, the 35 kDa protein specifically reacted against IgA present in patients’ stool suspensions. Further study illustrated the immunoreactivity of this protein in S. dysenteriae, S. boydii, and S. sonnei. This is the first report that demonstrates the presence of immunoreactive Shigella SAPs in stool suspensions. The SAPSs could be very useful in developing a simple and rapid serodiagnostic assay for shigellosis directly from stool specimens.

Study Region: The Lhasa River Basin (LRB) on the Tibetan Plateau.Study Focus: This study assessed the influence of climate change and landuse/landcover (LULC) change on hydrological processes using the water balancing simulation model (WaSiM). We used multiple data sources in a multi-objective calibration and validation approach, such as streamflow, snow cover, and glacier inventory, to minimize the uncertainties in the simulation results. Heat transfer in the soil was implemented in this study, which is crucial for permafrost regions.New Hydrological Insights for the Region: The results revealed spatiotemporal variation of precipitation change induced by climate warming in the last few decades. Runoff, actual evapotranspiration, and glacier melt are experiencing an increased trend. Meanwhile, decreased trends are signaled for snowmelt and water storage changes. Snowmelt showed an earlier peak that changed from June to May, which, combined with increased rainfall, resulted in an earlier peak of runoff in the basin. Rainfall is the main factor affecting runoff generation in LRB, while snowmelt and storage change are driven by the amount of snowfall, and actual evapotranspiration and glacier melt are most influenced by temperature. The annual discharge in LRB is projected to decrease, ranging from 20% to 39%, in response to the total permafrost degradation. Finally, the apparent variations in LULC exhibited in this study reveal a variety of water cycle and hydrological implications.

Background: Gastroparesis is a serious condition that can be caused by diabetes, surgery or infection, or can be idiopathic. When there is no mechanical obstruction, gastroparesis is characterized by delayed stomach emptying. Itopride, a prokinetic drug, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity in addition to antagonizing dopamine D2 receptors. Methods: This prospective, multicentre study is based on real-world data from 988 patients with a diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis for index (PAGI-SYM2) evaluation at baseline and week 4 of treatment for upper gastrointestinal disorder symptoms. Results: Upper gastrointestinal symptom severity scores improved significantly after 4 weeks of treatment (p

The biocompatibility of the SS316L makes it an alluring alternative for orthopaedic and other biomedical applications. In such applications, surface characteristics of the materials are key considerations for bacterial adhesion at the surface of the metallic implant. Therefore, the current study focuses on the investigation of surface roughness and microhardness of SS316L in the electric discharge machining process using adequate electrode/tool material. Machining is performed with brass, copper, and aluminum electrodes to limit the surface roughness and enhance the microhardness of machining surfaces. Besides this, process variables including peak current, pulse off time, pulse on time and spark voltage are also optimized to obtain superior surface characteristics. Results show that adequate surface roughness of 1.08 μm can be attained with the aluminum electrode while brass electrodes offered increased microhardness of 1270.6 HV of machined surfaces. Microstructural analysis shows that aluminum electrode yields shallow and small-sized craters and few micro-cavities while brass electrode generates high peaks and valleys on the machined surface due to the deep craters, micro cracks, and cavities. The composite desirability function approach suggests that aluminum electrode along with the optimal setting of process variables such as peak current = 25 A, pulse off time = 50 μs, pulse on time = 55 μs and spark voltage = 2 V offers reasonable values of surface roughness 4.09 μm and microhardness 1051.2 HV after trading off.

IntroductionThe periodic evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers, including vaccinators, concerning expanded programs on immunization (EPI) is very crucial for a better healthcare system. This study was carried out to assess the KAP of vaccinators about the EPI, including cold storage of vaccines and their practices related to vaccine cold chain management.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 among registered vaccinators in the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) of Pakistan. A structured self-administered questionnaire (English and Urdu) was developed as per the Pakistan national EPI policy and strategic guidelines 2022 and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, as well as from earlier studies (Cronbach's alpha value of 0.734). The final questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions in four sections, including sociodemographic information, knowledge (with dichotomous variables of yes/no), attitudes (with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree), and handling of vaccines and cold chain management. Completed questionnaires were entered into Microsoft Excel and then imported into SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 186 vaccinators completely filled out their questionnaires, with a 97.9% response rate. More than half of the participants (57.5%) had no training related to EPI. Most of the respondents had a moderate to poor level of knowledge regarding EPI. The overall attitude was positive, and 57% of the participants strongly agreed that the national immunization programs can significantly contribute to the decrease in morbidity and mortality rates among children. In the current study, participants showed good practices toward EPI, vaccine storage, and cold chain management. The majority (93.5%) of the participants checked the expiry of vaccines at regular intervals to maintain the first expiry first out (FEFO) in their healthcare setting.DiscussionIn conclusion, most of the vaccinators had moderate to poor knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward EPI, vaccine cold storage, and cold chain management. Lack of training among vaccinators on EPI was also observed. These findings have suggested that continuous training, education, and regular supervision of vaccinators in EPI are important for maximum immunization effectiveness and coverage.

This article discusses the modal behavior of elastically constrained beams under various types of foundations and provides insights into the effects of different factors on the eigenfrequencies of beams. Numerical and analytical techniques, specifically the Galerkin finite element method (GFM) and the separation of variables, are utilized to determine the eigenfrequencies and mode shapes of beams. Modal analysis of Timoshenko, shear, Rayleigh, and Euler-Bernoulli beams that are elastically constrained and resting on Winkler, Pasternak, and Hetényi foundations, considering non-classical boundary conditions, is included in the study. The effects of factors such as flexural rigidity, transverse modulus, and Winkler foundation constant on natural frequencies of different beam models are investigated. The proposed method efficiently converges to the exact solution without shear locking in the stiffness element. The results demonstrate that the natural frequencies of the beam rise because of the shear layer, flexural rigidity, and foundation constant. Furthermore, the Hetényi elastic foundation affects the natural frequency of the beam, depending on the relative values of beam stiffness and foundation stiffness. Additionally, incorporating both shear deformation and rotary inertia has a greater impact on the eigenfrequencies of Euler-Bernoulli beams compared to incorporating only one of these effects. The findings of this work provide valuable insights into the behavior of beams under different foundation conditions and have potential applications in the design and optimization of structures incorporating beams, thereby enhancing the understanding of beam analysis.

Objective: To determine the complications of ureteric stone treatment with semi-rigid uretero-renoscopy in accordance with the modified Clavien classification system. Method: The descriptive, prospective study was conducted at the Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, from June 30, 2020, to December 29, 2021, and comprised patients of either gender aged 18-70 years having ureteric stones. All patients were subjected to ureterorenoscopy using a semi-rigid ureteroscope under general anaesthesia. The patients were followed up for 2 months. All complications were noted and graded in line with the Modified Clavien Complication System. Ultrasound and X-ray were used to determine the stone-free rate. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Results: Of the 414 patients, 304(73.4%) were males and 110(26.5%) were females. The overall mean age was 40.22±13.10 years. There were 106(25.6%) proximal, 134(32.3%) middle, and 174(42%) distal ureteric stones. Stent placement was done in 56(13.5%) cases. There were 260(62.8%) patients with no complication, 90(21.7%) with grade I complications, 34(8.2%) with grade II complications, 10(2.4%) with grade IIIa, 8(1.9%) with grade IIIb, and 12 (2.9%) with grade IVa complications. Conclusion: Uretero-renoscopy was found to be a safe procedure, as it had minimal associated complications with optimal stone clearance and great dexterity. The Modified Clavien classification system was found to be an easy way to classify surgical complications of uretero-renoscopy. Key Words: Ureteroscopy, Modified Clavien classification system, Ureteric calculi, ESWL.

Advancements in light engineering have led to the creation of pulsed laser sources capable of delivering high-repetition-rate, high-power few-cycle laser pulses across a wide spectral range, enabling exploration of many fascinating nonlinear processes occurring in all states of matter. High-harmonic generation, one such process, which converts the low-frequency photons of the driver laser field into soft x-rays, has revolutionized atomic, molecular, and optical physics, leading to progress in attosecond science and ultrafast optoelectronics. The Extreme Light Infrastructure, Attosecond Light Pulse Source (ELI ALPS) facility pioneers state-of-the-art tools for research in these areas. This paper outlines the design rationale, capabilities, and applications of plasma- and gas-based high-repetition-rate (1 kHz to 100 kHz) attosecond extreme ultraviolet (XUV) beamlines developed at ELI ALPS, highlighting their potential for advancing various research fields.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern, prompting the need for effective treatment strategies. This in-depth review critically assesses the landscape of HCV treatment, drawing parallels between traditional interferon/ribavirin therapy historically pivotal in HCV management and herbal approaches rooted in traditional and complementary medicine. Advancements in therapeutic development and enhanced clinical outcomes axis on a comprehensive understanding of the diverse HCV genome, its natural variations, pathogenesis, and the impact of dietary, social, environmental, and economic factors. A thorough analysis was conducted through reputable sources such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, books, and dissertations. This review primarily focuses on the intricate nature of HCV genomes and explores the potential of botanical drugs in both preventing and treating HCV infections.

A rare but lethal central nervous system disease known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and potentially blinding Acanthamoeba keratitis are diseases caused by free-living Acanthamoeba. Currently, no therapeutic agent can completely eradicate or prevent GAE. Synthetic compounds are a likely source of bioactive compounds for developing new drugs. This study synthesized seventeen 1,4-benzothiazine derivatives (I –XVII) by a base-catalyzed one-pot reaction of 2-amino thiophenol with substituted bromo acetophenones. Different spectroscopic techniques, such as EI-MS, 1H-, and 13C NMR (only for the new compounds), were used for the structural characterization and conformation of compounds. These compounds were assessed for the first time against Acanthamoeba castellanii. All compounds showed anti-amoebic potential in vitro against A. castellanii, reducing its ability to encyst and excyst at 100 μM. Compounds IX, X, and XVI showed the most potent activities among all derivatives and significantly reduced the viability to 5.3 × 104 (p

The intentional production of animals is predicated on their genetic proficiency, which is dependent on optimal resource utilization and manipulation of biotic and abiotic environmental components to increase production for societal sustenance. The annual global consumption of sheep meat is approximately 2.5 kilograms per individual, out of a total of 41.6 kilograms. Three management systems are used to rear sheep: extensive wool and meat production, intensive milk production, and traditional pastoralism. Possessing adequate resources for sheep husbandry contributes to positive welfare outcomes. This review examined the rearing, breeding, and future potential of Damani sheep in Pakistan. Damani sheep are a composite, meat-specialized breed with thin tails, tiny to medium bodies, white heads, and camel-colored legs. They are native to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts of Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu and are predominantly raised for their meat and wool. Damani sheep have well-developed teats and udders, small ears, and a mature body height and weight of 53- 61 cm and 27-28 kg, respectively. They are robust, well-adapted, and successful in their native environment. Damani ewes produce high-quality milk with an average fat content of 5.8 % and average lactation period of 120 days. Despite their potential, the breed's per-unit meat and wool production has decreased due to cross-breeding, disease, malnutrition, improper management, and a lack of agricultural knowledge. Pakistan recognizes between 28 and 33 categories of sheep, but sheep continue to be an undervalued species with low productivity per animal unit.

The present study aims to identify the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in three recreational lakes in Malaysia. Thirty water samples were collected by purposive sampling between June and July 2022. Physical parameters of water quality were measured in situ while chemical and microbiological analyses were performed in the laboratory. The samples were vacuum filtered through nitrate filter, cultured onto non-nutrient agar and observed microscopically for amoebic growth. DNAs from positive samples were extracted and made to react with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Physiological tolerance tests were performed for all Acanthamoeba-positive samples. The presence of Acanthamoeba was found in 26 of 30 water samples by PCR. The highest rate in lake waters contaminated with amoeba was in Biru Lake (100%), followed by Titiwangsa Lake (80%) and Shah Alam Lake (80%). ORP, water temperature, pH and DO were found to be significantly correlated with the presence of Acanthamoeba. The most common genotype was T4. Temperature- and osmo-tolerance tests showed that 8 (30.8%) of the genotypes T4, T9 and T11 were highly pathogenic. The presence of genotype T4 in habitats related to human activities supports the relevance of this amoeba as a potential public health concern. HIGHLIGHTS Pathogenic Acanthamoeba detection in recreational lakes in Peninsular Malaysia.; Higher Acanthamoeba detection rates were attributed to oxidation-reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH.; First evidence of thermo- and osmo-tolerant Acanthamoeba T4, T9 and T11 detection in recreational lakes, Peninsular Malaysia.;

Abstract Antibiotic resistance is rising across the world. For a very long time, bitter ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) has been used as one of the most popular herbal remedies to treat a wide range of common diseases. Ginger has been shown to have antioxidant and antibacterial activity. It has various bioactive chemicals that might be utilized as an alternative treatment option for many infectious diseases. The present study aimed to examine the biochemical profile of ginger, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity against selective endodontic microbes. Antioxidant was measured using DPPH and antibacterial activity was performed using disk diffusion tests. Streptococcus mutants, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. were tested for antibacterial activity. Before evaluating the dried extracts, all solvents were eliminated using rotary evaporation. The obtained IC50 value revealed that ethanol extract had the greatest antioxidant activity. Concerning each bacterium, the plant extracts demonstrated considerable antibacterial activity (p = .001). Ethanol extracts showed the strongest antibacterial activity against the studied microorganisms. This study highlights that the Zingiber zerumbet (Z. zerumbet) is a strong antibacterial herb against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) gram‐positive bacteria. It may also be employed as a possible natural antioxidant source.

The integration of renewable energy is rapidly leading the existing grid systems toward modern hybrid power systems. These hybrid power systems are more complex due to the random and intermittent nature of RE and involve numerous operational challenges. This paper presents the operational model for solar integrated power systems to address the issues of economical operation, reliable solar share, energy deficit in case of contingency events, and the allocation of system spinning reserve. A mixed-integer optimization is formulated to minimize the overall cost of the system operation and to maximize the solar share under robust system spinning reserve limits as well as various other practical constraints. A Pareto-optimal solution for the maximization of the number of solar power plants and minimization of the solar cost is also presented for reliable solar share. Further, a decomposition framework is proposed to split the original problem into two sub-problems. The solution of joint optimization is obtained by exploiting a Lagrange relaxation method, a binary search Lambda iteration method, system spinning reserve analysis, and binary integer programming. The proposed model was implemented on an IEEE-RTS 26 units system and 40 solar plants.

This research study aimed to evaluate the legibility of Arabic road signage using an eye-tracking approach within a virtual reality (VR) environment. The study was conducted in a controlled setting involving 20 participants who watched two videos using the HP Omnicept Reverb G2. The VR device recorded eye gazing details in addition to other physiological data of the participants, providing an overlay of heart rate, eye movement, and cognitive load, which in combination were used to determine the participants’ focus during the experiment. The data were processed through a schematic design, and the final files were saved in .txt format, which was later used for data extraction and analysis. Through the execution of this study, it became apparent that employing eye-tracking technology within a VR setting offers a promising method for assessing the legibility of road signs. The outcomes of the current research enlightened the vital role of legibility in ensuring road safety and facilitating effective communication with drivers. Clear and easily comprehensible road signs were found to be pivotal in delivering timely information, aiding navigation, and ultimately mitigating accidents or confusion on the road. As a result, this study advocates for the utilization of VR as a valuable platform for enhancing the design and functionality of road signage systems, recognizing its potential to contribute significantly to the improvement of road safety and navigation for drivers.

Abstract As cloud services expand, the need to improve the performance of data center infrastructure becomes more important. High-performance computing, advanced networking solutions, and resource optimization strategies can help data centers maintain the speed and efficiency necessary to provide high-quality cloud services. Running containerized applications is one such optimization strategy, offering benefits such as improved portability, enhanced security, better resource utilization, faster deployment and scaling, and improved integration and interoperability. These benefits can help organizations improve their application deployment and management, enabling them to respond more quickly and effectively to dynamic business needs. Kubernetes is a container orchestration system designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. One of its key features is the ability to schedule the deployment and execution of containers across a cluster of nodes using a scheduling algorithm. This algorithm determines the best placement of containers on the available nodes in the cluster. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of various scheduling algorithms in the context of Kubernetes. We characterize and group them into four sub-categories: generic scheduling, multi-objective optimization-based scheduling, AI-focused scheduling, and autoscaling enabled scheduling, and identify gaps and issues that require further research.

Abstract In the industrial sector, hot water applications constitute a significant share of final energy consumption. This creates a wide demand‐supply energy gap that must be bridged by integrating renewable sources with conventional fuels. This paper presents the performance analysis of a solar water heating system based on an evacuated flat‐plate collector (EFPC) with a surface area of 4 m2. A water–glycol mixture was used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) with mass flow rates of 0.03, 0.0336, and 0.0504 kg/s under a vacuum pressure of –0.8 bar created inside the collector. A detailed numerical model was developed in MATLAB for the proposed EFPC system, followed by experimental validation. A maximum root mean square error of 2.81 for the absorber temperature and a percentage error of 6.62 was observed for the thermal efficiency in model validation. This substantiates the model's capability to predict actual system performance with reasonable accuracy. The maximum thermal efficiency of the EFPC is 78% with a maximum fluid outlet temperature of 98°C in June and 69°C in January. The maximum useful energy extracted is 1300 W in January. Additionally, the effect of design parameters on system performance such as mass flow rates, collector areas, tube spacing, and different HTF mixtures is simulated. Lastly, an economic analysis of the EFPC was conducted for hot water demand in a textile industry. The results revealed a payback period of 7.4 years, which highlights the feasibility of this system.

Abstract Background Engaging communities is an important component of multisectoral action to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted research with non-communicable disease stakeholders in Bangladesh to understand how a community-led intervention which was shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in rural Bangladesh could be scaled-up. Methods We purposively sampled any actor who could have an interest in the intervention, or that could affect or be affected by the intervention. We interviewed central level stakeholders from donor agencies, national health policy levels, public, non-governmental, and research sectors to identify scale-up mechanisms. We interviewed community health workers, policy makers, and non-governmental stakeholders, to explore the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the suggested mechanisms. We discussed scale-up options in focus groups with community members who had attended a community-led intervention. We iteratively developed our data collection tools based on our analysis and re-interviewed some participants. We analysed the data deductively using a stakeholder analysis framework, and inductively from codes identified in the data. Results Despite interest in addressing NCDs, there was a lack of a clear community engagement strategy at the government level, and most interventions have been implemented by non-governmental organisations. Many felt the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should lead on community engagement, and NCD screening and referral has been added to the responsibilities of community health workers and health volunteers. Yet there remains a focus on reproductive health and NCD diagnosis and referral instead of prevention at the community level. There is potential to engage health volunteers in community-led interventions, but their present focus on engaging women for reproductive health does not fit with community needs for NCD prevention. Conclusions Research highlighted the need for a preventative community engagement strategy to address NCDs, and the potential to utilise existing cadres to scale-up community-led interventions. It will be important to work with key stakeholders to address gender issues and ensure flexibility and responsiveness to community concerns. We indicate areas for further implementation research to develop scaled-up models of community-led interventions to address NCDs.

Objective: To compare the outcome of humeral shaft fractures treated by functional cast brace versus "U" slab in terms of union. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/Traumatology Unit-II, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from Jul to Dec 2018. Methodology: One hundred and four patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included. Patients were randomised into two groups by random tables. Group-A patients were treated with a "U" slab outdoors, and Group-B patients were treated with a customised functional brace from the Orthopaedic workshop as indoor cases. Results: The mean age of patients was 47.99±14.15 years, with minimum and maximum ages of 16 and 65 years, respectively. According to the operational definition, the union was achieved in 88(84.6%) patients. In Group-A, 38(73.1%) patients and in Group-B, 50(96.2%) patients had union. A significant association between union and study Groups was noted, i.e. Group B had a high union rate when compared to Group A, with a p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: To conclude, in patients with humeral shaft fracture, a functional cast brace is a better choice for achieving union as it reduces the burden of non-union, and patients recover early, assessed by callous formation.

In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the laminar time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of ethylene glycol-based aluminum oxide nanofluid through a rectangular channel with contracting/expanding porous walls. We investigate the influence of aggregation/non-aggregation of nanoparticles, as well as the presence of thermal radiation. By imposing self-similarities in space and time, we obtain a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations governing the flow. To solve these equations, we employ a well-known semi-analytical technique known as the Method of Moments (MoM). Additionally, we compare our results with the outcomes achieved through an application of another commonly utilized numerical approach (shooting technique with the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg scheme). The comparison shows an excellent agreement that endorses the accuracy of the calculated solutions. The velocity and temperature profiles obtained from our analysis exhibit variations due to the changes in involved dimensionless parameters. We present these variations through graphical representations along with their explanations. Interestingly, our study reveals that the aggregation of nanoparticles influences the fluctuations caused by other parameters, and to some extent, suppresses them. Consequently, we observe less deviation among the velocity and temperature curves for the aggregation case compared to the non-aggregation case. These findings have significant implications in real-world engineering and industry. The understanding of the flow behavior of nanofluids through expanding/contracting rectangular channels can aid in the design and optimization of various engineering systems, such as heat exchangers and microfluidic devices. Additionally, our study provides valuable insights into the effects of nanoparticle aggregation and thermal radiation in such systems, offering opportunities for enhancing their efficiency and performance.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are highly associated with both vitamin D deficiency and obesity, two prevalent health conditions worldwide. Arterial stiffness, an independent predictor of CVDs, is particularly elevated in both conditions, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive, hindering effective management of CVDs in this population. We recruited 20 middle-aged Emiratis, including 9 individuals with vitamin D deficiency (Vit D level ≤20 ng) and obesity (BMI ≥30) and 11 individuals as control with Vit D level >20 ng and BMI

Objective: To compare laparoscopic needle-assisted extra-corporeal hernia repair regarding recurrence in children with intracorporeal repair. Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study. Department of Paediatric Surgery, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul 2019 to Dec 2020. Methodology: Retrospectively, all patients who underwent laparoscopic herniotomy were searched through hospital records.Ninety-seven patients matched the inclusion criteria out of 148 laparoscopic surgeries. All patients were diagnosed with inguinal hernia based on history and clinical examination. Fifty-one patients underwent laparoscopic needle-assisted repair (LNAR) with extra-corporeal knotting, whereas 46 underwent repair with intracorporeal knotting of the deep inguinal ring. Pneumoperitoneum was created in all cases by open method. All patients were followed up for six months outdoors for recurrence. Results: The age of patients ranged from 1-12 years; the mean age of study patients was 5.29±3.17 years. Regarding the inguinal hernia site, 45(46.4%) had a right-sided hernia, and 52(53.6%) had a left-sided hernia. All operations were completed laparoscopically. There were no intraoperative complications. A total of 2(3.53%) patients developed recurrence, one from each group, 2.17% in Group-A and 1.96% in Group-B, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups after six months of follow-up (p-value=0.942). Conclusion: Extra-corporeal knotting in children with inguinal hernia is an effective, quick and safe technique. It is comparable to the standard intracorporeal knotting technique in terms of recurrence.

Abstract The “Diabetes: Community-led Awareness, Response and Evaluation” (D:Clare) trial aims to scale up and replicate an evidence-based participatory learning and action cycle intervention in Bangladesh, to inform policy on population-level T2DM prevention and control. The trial was originally designed as a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial, with the interventions running from March 2020 to September 2022. Twelve clusters were randomly allocated (1:1) to implement the intervention at months 1 or 12 in two steps, and evaluated through three cross-sectional surveys at months 1, 12 and 24. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended project activities on the 20th of March 2020. As a result of the changed risk landscape and the delays introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, we changed from the stepped-wedge design to a wait-list parallel arm cluster RCT (cRCT) with baseline data. We had four key reasons for eventually agreeing to change designs: equipoise, temporal bias in exposure and outcomes, loss of power and time and funding considerations. Trial registration ISRCTN42219712 . Registered on 31 October 2019.

Vehicular Adhoc Networks (VANETs) are an emerging and promising technology that enables vehicles to communicate with roadside units (RSUs) and other vehicles. VANETs contribute to improved traffic efficiency, accident safety, and entertainment services for passengers and drivers. However, VANETs face limitations in areas with intermittent connectivity. To address this scenario, researchers have proposed a specialized use-case known as intermittently-connected-vehicular delay-tolerant-networks (ICV-DTNs), which are a subset of delay-tolerant-networks (DTNs). Security is less explored area compare to routing. Malicious nodes pose significant threats by launching selective packet drops, fake/bogus packets, and flood attacks, depleting limited resources such as bandwidth and node buffer space. Consequently, these attacks result in low message delivery ratios and high message loss ratios. Among these attacks, flood attacks are particularly challenging in ICV-DTNs/Flying Adhoc Networks/Internet of Drones. Various algorithms have been proposed to mitigate flood attacks, but previous approaches have exhibited shortcomings. Firstly, previously proposed algorithms lack efficiency in terms of detection time and accuracy. Secondly, the extent of resource waste or savings after implementing these schemes has not been adequately demonstrated, with no simulation results quantifying the amount of buffer consumption. Additionally, prior algorithms lack a comprehensive definition of flood attacks, which represents a critical research question in this field. To address these gaps, this article not only proposed a unique taxonomy of the flooding attacks but also evaluate various algorithms on diverse parameters. The article also contribute open research areas for the community to investigate the nitty gritty of flooding attacks in ICV-DTNs.

Abstract Background The incidence of heat emergencies, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion, have increased recently due to climate change. This has affected global health and has become an issue of consideration for human health and well-being. Due to overlapping clinical manifestations with other diseases, and most of these emergencies occurring in an elderly patient, patients with a comorbid condition, or patients on poly medicine, diagnosing and managing them in the emergency department can be challenging. This study assessed whether an educational training on heat emergencies, defined as heat intervention in our study, could improve the diagnosis and management practices of ED healthcare providers in the ED setting. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted in the EDs of four hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Eight thousand two hundred three (8203) patients were enrolled at the ED triage based on symptoms of heat emergencies. The pre-intervention data were collected from May to July 2017, while the post-intervention data were collected from May to July 2018. The HEAT intervention, consisting of educational activities targeted toward ED healthcare providers, was implemented in April 2018. The outcomes assessed were improved recognition—measured by increased frequency of diagnosing heat emergencies and improved management—measured by increased temperature monitoring, external cooling measures, and intravenous fluids in the post-intervention period compared to pre-intervention. Results Four thousand one hundred eighty-two patients were enrolled in the pre-intervention period and 4022 in the post-intervention period, with at least one symptom falling under the criteria for diagnosis of a heat emergency. The diagnosis rate improved from 3% (n = 125/4181) to 7.5% (n = 7.5/4022) (p-value

Recently, highly dynamic substitution box (S-box) generators are widely used in cryptosystems to improve the security against modern computational attacks. However, generating S-boxes is computationally costly, and frequently generating them slows down the encryption process and hence limits the encryption throughput. This fact necessitates developing new S-box generators that can provide optimal security with minimum computation cost. We propose a novel S-box generator based on a deterministic algorithm over elliptic curves to generate highly dynamic and secure S-boxes with low computation cost. Experimental results show that our generator is i times, i∈[6.720,1.3×105] faster than the fastest available S-box generator to generate S-boxes of an input size 2m,m=4,6,8,10,12,14,16 over large ECs. This fact allows us to attain significantly higher throughput as compared to the state-of-the-art schemes. Furthermore, our generator can generate highly dynamic, key-sensitive, and cryptographically secure S-boxes. As a sample application, we used our generator in an image encryption scheme. Experimental results reveal that our encryption scheme has high resistance against differential and statistical attacks, and key attacks. Furthermore, with the new S-box generator, the running time of the modified scheme reduced by two orders of magnitude.

The UV treatment of 6:2 FTAB involves the mitigation of this persistent chemical by the impact of ultraviolet radiation, which is known for its resistance to environmental breakdown. UV treatment of PFOA and/or 6:2 FTAB, and the role of responsible species and their mechanism have been presented. Our investigation focused on the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkyl betaine (6:2 FTAB, Capstone B), using UV photolysis under various pH conditions. Initially, we used PFOA as a reference, finding a 90% decomposition after 360 min at the original (unadjusted) pH 5.6, with a decomposition rate constant of (1.08 ± 0.30) × 10−4 sec−1 and a half-life of 107 ± 2 min. At pH 4 and 7, degradation averaged 85% and 80%, respectively, while at pH 10, it reduced to 57%. For 6:2 FTAB at its natural pH 6.5, almost complete decomposition occurred. The primary UV transformation product was identified as 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA), occasionally accompanied by shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) including PFHpA, PFHxA, and PFPeA. Interestingly, the overall decomposition percentages were unaffected by pH for 6:2 FTAB, though pH influenced rate constants and half-lives. In PFOA degradation, direct photolysis and reaction with hydrated electrons were presumed mechanisms, excluding the involvement of hydroxyl radicals. The role of superoxide radicals remains uncertain. For 6:2 FTAB, both direct and indirect photolysis were observed, with potential involvement of hydroxyl, superoxide radicals, and/or other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Clarification is needed regarding the role of eaq− in the degradation of 6:2 FTAB.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential use of solar energy within an oil refinery to reduce its fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A validated ASPEN HYSYS model was used to investigate the products produced from heavy crude oil in the refinery. Using TRNSYS software, the proposed Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC)-based solar heating system paired with the boiler is modelled. Sensible thermal energy storage (TES) system is integrated into the refinery's process heating to handle the intermittent nature of solar energy. It was discovered that 463 m2 of the PTC area coupled with a 15000-L TES tank can result in a maximum life cycle cost savings of 21.046 thousand USD for an annual heat supply of 116,944 MWh to generate steam at a temperature of 200–220 °C. In the proposed hybrid heating system, the yearly solar fraction is determined to be 26.99% and the payback period is 8.77 years with the average solar irradiance of 900 W/m2. In addition, the system can yearly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 34.045 tonnes of CO2 equivalents.

Herein, the aim is to discuss the current knowledge of microbiome and periodontal diseases. Current treatment strategies include mechanical therapy such as root planing, scaling, deep pocket debridement and antimicrobial chemotherapy as an adjuvant therapy. Among promising therapeutic strategies, dental probiotics and oral microbiome transplantation have gained attention, and may be used to treat bacterial imbalances by competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and adhesion surfaces, as well as probiotics targeting the gut microbiome. Development of strategies to prevent and treat periodontal diseases are warranted as both are highly prevalent and can affect human health. Further studies are necessary to better comprehend the microbiome in order to develop innovative preventative measures as well as efficacious therapies against periodontal diseases.

Tweetable abstract It is proposed that gut microbiome of species like cockroaches may offer a potential source of novel mechanisms/molecules that can be translated into humans to safeguard astronauts against stressors of the space environment during deep space exploration missions.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of prednisolone acetate and platelet rich plasma in cases of moderate knee osteoarthritis. Study design: Prospective comparative study. Place and Duration of study: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mirs, from January 2021 till December 2021 Methodology: A total of 100 patients were selected for the study and were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group C patients received intra-articular corticosteroid injection along with local anesthetic (Prednisolone acetate 40 mg + 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine) under ultrasound guidance. Group P patients received 3 injections of PRP, each of 8 ml volume given at one week’s interval. Patients with signs of hemodynamic compromise, sepsis, past history of any intra-articular injection in the same joint were also excluded from the study. Follow up of patients was carried out at 1, 3 and 6 months. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) scale was used to assess the patients prior to injection and then at each follow up. WOMAC scale consists of three subsets i-e pain, stiffness and physical function. Results: Demographic data was comparable between both groups. Pre-injection WOMAC score in group C and P was 71.54±12.18 and 75.20±8.58 respectively (p-value=0.086); after one month of injections, it was 34.20±10.48 and 35.38±6.31 respectively (p-value=0.580). After 3 months of injection, it was 33.20±8.13 and 31.10±5.50 respectively (p-value=0.195). After 6 months of injection, it was 35.32±10.41 and 32.10±6.63 respectively (p-value=0.68). Conclusion: It is concluded in our study that intra-articular injections of prednisolone acetate and PRP are equally effective in patients of moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Cutaneous burn wounds are a common and troublesome critical issue of public health. Over the last decade, many researchers have investigated the development of novel therapeutic modalities which are capable of fully regeneration and reinstatement of structure and function of the skin with no or limited scar formation. Novel pharmaceutical carriers are offering a potential platform to deliver the drug effectively and to overcome the limitation associated with conventional wound dressings. The aim of this study was to investigate a pharmaceutical acriflavine-loaded polycaprolactone nanoemulsion (ACR-PCL-NE) for burn wound healing. Nanoemulsion was prepared by using the double emulsion solvent evaporation technique and it was subjected to thermodynamic stability testing, droplet size, polydispersity, zeta potential, pH, and surface morphology analysis. The in vivo study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of nanoemulsion using Sprague-Dawley rats as an animal model. The results of this study revealed that the optimized nanoemulsion was stable and had desirable physicochemical properties. The pH was about 4.02 at 25 °C and the particle size was found to be in the range of 302 ± 4.62 nm while the zeta potential was −7.8 ± 1.22 mV and the polydispersity index of 0.221 ± 0.017. The wound regeneration process was evaluated in vivo by different techniques, the formulation group (FG) showed high wound healing potential as compared to the standard group (SD) and control group (CG). These findings reveal that this nanoemulsion formulation can be used effectively for wound healing.

When compared to non-bifurcation lesions, percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary bifurcation lesions is technically demanding and has historically been limited by lower procedural success rates and inferior clinical results. Following the development of drug-eluting stents, dramatically better results have been demonstrated. In most of the bifurcation lesions, the provisional technique of implanting a single stent in the main branch (MB) remains the default approach. However, some cases require more complex two-stent techniques which carry the risk of side branch (SB) restenosis. The concept of leaving no permanent implant behind is appealing because of the complexity of bifurcation anatomy with significant size mismatch between proximal and distal MB which may drive rates of in-stent restenosis and the potential impact of MB stenting affecting SB coronary flow dynamics. With the perspective of leaving lower metallic burden, a drug-coated balloon (DCB) has been utilized to treat bifurcations in both the MB and SB. The author gives an overview of the existing state of knowledge and prospects for the future for using DCB to treat bifurcation lesions.

The solar updraft towers harnessing solar energy are a sustainable and economical source of power, however, they suffer from low collector efficiency. Geometric characteristics have a large effect on the plant’s efficiency. One of the lesser-studied parameters that affect the flow behavior, and the performance of the plant is the chimney wall profile. A novel concept of parabolic wall profiles is introduced in this study using inner parabolic chimney profile (IPCP) and outer parabolic chimney (OPCP) configurations. For this purpose, the plant is modeled numerically and validated with the experimental data from the Manzanares prototype. The influence of parabolic profiles is studied at 0° to 3° chimney diverging angle (CDA) and 0° to 10° collector roof angle (CRA). The convergent effect of IPCP resulted in increased performance in contrast to OPCP. The appearance of large eddies creating a recirculation region near the base of the chimney is significantly decreased by using IPCP. The IPCP also resulted in an elevated performance when the effect of CDA and CRA is included resulting in a 12.1% increased power output. The IPCP at 1° CDA and 6° CRA is found to be the optimum among the studied configuration resulting in 80.6% and 80.7% increased power output and collector efficiency respectively. The proposed design resulted in smoother flow with smaller eddies, better thermal characteristics, and improved performance of the plant.

The industrial sector is responsible for nearly 25% of direct and more than 35% of cumulative global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study evaluates the feasibility and comparative analysis of on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) and biomass-fed boilers based on historical energy consumption and demand to reduce dependence on grid-supplied electricity and coal-fired boiler for a rice processing industrial plant. The analysis includes energetic, economic, and GHG emissions assessments and covers (a) Solar PV systems, (b) Biomass fuels, and (c) Co-firing scenarios. Financial analysis of solar PV considers both company-owned and bank-financed systems of fixed and double axis tracking technologies. Biomass fuels include 100% wood, 100% rice husk, and a 50%–50% wood-rice husk mix. Historical energy consumption shows that annual electricity demand is 4,479 MWh, costing $537,480 and producing 2,307 tCO 2emissions. Feasibility of 1MW, company-owned fixed axis solar PV plant shows a yearly electricity production of 1,544 MWh with 0.031 $/kWh levelized cost and reducing 733 tCO 2 with a payback period of 2.8 years. The base case scenario for boiler operations consists of 3,746 tons of coal burning, costing $427,075 and producing 11,840 tCO 2 emissions. Rice husk fuel study shows a 19% fuel cost savings, a 1.7-year payback period, and 11,612 tCO 2 GHG emission reductions. It is concluded that biomass-based rice husk fuel feedstock is the most suitable renewable energy source (RES) for this industrial facility and can reduce 82% of cumulative annual GHG emissions. Furthermore, energy efficiency improvements and off-site carbon credits provide additional opportunities to achieve net-zero GHG emissions for plant operations.

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As Allah Ta'ala started the series of Prophets to guide the people and sent down His orders to those who were not only explained but also became an example in practice. In the same way, Allah revealed the last book to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and commanded the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)“And We have sent down the Dhikr to you so that you may make it clear to the people who Something has been sent down to them so that they may reflect" (Surat al-Nahl). And this is how the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained the interpretation of the Qur'an. And in the same way, the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also passed on this trust. And finally, this series of commentary took the form of the first book in the form of Ibn Jarir al-Tabari's commentary "Jami al-Bayan fi Taweel Al-Qur'an" and this series of commentary that started from the era of Prophethood is still ongoing and is a link of the same series. Tafsir Bayan al-Qur'an is also. It is the result of the religious services of Dr. Israr Ahmed. Dr. Asrar Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, is considered one of the great scholars and commentators of the Qur'an of the present century. And among the special rewards of Allah Almighty, Allah Almighty gave him this opportunity to show him a period in his life when the whole world It is present in people's pockets, and that is why his interpretations of the Holy Qur'an have been heard by him not only in Pakistan but also in the whole world. Dr. Sahib Raha's efforts and efforts have been published in a commentary form, which began in his own lifetime, and the first volume of his Tafsir Bayan al-Qur'an was published in his lifetime, which the case was written by Dr. Asrar Ahmad Rahmatullah Alaihi himself. Dr. Asrar Ahmad Rehmatullah Alaihi's Tafsir Bayan Al-Qur'an is not his authorship or compilation but is taken from his translation of the Al-Qur'an which was preserved in CDs and DVDs.